Over 1,000 participants; over 100 events; a broad range of cultural events from street and performing arts to visual arts and new media, from live music to literature, food and fairs... This year’s Notte Bianca promises to retain some of the features which make it so well-loved while introducing a fresh vision and exciting new concepts.

To be held on Saturday 5 October, this year’s Notte Bianca brings a fresh exuberant approach which celebrates randomness, possibility, the imagination. Attracting over 60,000 people to the capital each year, the largest cultural event in Valletta has re-invented itself into a rich kaleidoscopic fantasy.

For the first time this year, Notte Bianca will have an official opening, complete with coloured smoke and In Guardia troops firing cannons from all around Valletta. This will kickstart the festival at 6pm. A closing breakfast at 2am at the Casino Maltese will bring the night to an end.

Meanwhile, Valletta will be transformed into a city mapped out as a fairytale fantasy. Entrance will be through a designated portal at City Gate. Towards the end of the night, people will leave the city through the Central Bank annex.

Novelty touches are everywhere: from curated music stages, which require bands to play mainly original music and group them according to genre - to the re-invention of a number of locations. This year, too, for the first time, the programme is broadly split into two: the main programme, which includes festival commissions and projects – and Atmosfera, a programme of ancillary events inspired by the energy running through the capital on the night.

Perhaps another first is that this year’s festival also pays tribute to the notion of legacy: an elevated stage will be built in St Lucy Street for Misrah il-Muzika, with a programme of classical, opera and brass band music playing live throughout the night in various locations.

“I invite you to Valletta’s largest cultural event, the night when Valletta can afford to dance and play,” says artistic director Sean Buhagiar. “This year, we have triggered a revolution of new projects, collaborated with different generations of artists, craftsmen, entertainers and cultural practitioners. Enjoy the fairytale, discover the fun, and soak in the atmosphere. Lights, camera, magic!”

Parliamentary secretary Jose’ Herrera said that Notte Bianca is an example of culture for everybody, from pop to higher culture, with a special emphasis on literature, dance and music. A feast of colour, tradition and spectacle, this year’s edition of Notte Bianca promises to be much bigger than ever before. With the participation of over 1,000 artists in a 100 different activities, this year’s edition of Notte Bianca aimed to be inclusive, said Dr Herrera. “One of the first decisions I took at the beginning of my appointment was to extend the deadline for applications to ensure the broadest possible range of artists. That is what we did and I am happy to say that all this talent is now included under one umbrella, that of Notte Bianca,” said Dr Herrera. He said that even Gozitans are being given the chance to attend Notte Bianca as a special ferry service from Mgarr to Valletta is being organised. He said that his ministry is not only supporting the programme of activities but is also investing in the mobile app project. “An innovative project which takes Notte Bianca to a new and more technological dimension reflecting contemporary times. With new ideas and a fresh vision, we are giving a stamp to this feast which attracts 60,000 people to the capital city Valletta,” said Dr Herrera.

“All this is happening in the city of Valletta which, in 2018 will officially become the European Capital of Culture. Between now and then we have the duty to draft a vision. Notte Bianca is a living example of culture for everybody,” concluded Dr Herrera.

 

Information stand and shop

Visit the information area at Pjazza Teatru Rjal for any information or queries. You can also purchase the limited edition Notte Bianca eco bag with an original design by Maltese illustrator Mark Scicluna. Notte Bianca spiral notebooks, which will guide you through the programme and Notte Bianca highlights, will be for sale at one euro.

A Notte Bianca mobile app will also help users find their way around and keep an eye on their favourite events.

Users can also get creative and paint the city with light! After downloading the app, tap on the glowing light at the bottom of the screen to access the Notte Bianca lightwriting tool. Grab a camera (or look out for an official Notte Bianca photographer), follow a few easy steps and start painting the streets of Valletta with light. Submit your photos on the official Notte Bianca website nottebianca.org.mt or post them and tag our facebook and Twitter accounts.

The app is in development as we speak and will be available a few days before the night. It will be available on the Apple App Store for iPhones and The Google Play store for Android devices.

 

Transport and accessibility

By land

Arriva will be operating a special bus service for Notte Bianca on 5 October with tickets priced at €3. The ticket will also be valid for all day-time buses on the same day. The special service will be operating from Valletta to all localities around the island from 11pm until 2.30am. Tickets can be bought beforehand from Arriva ticket booths, street ticket sellers, and directly from the bus on 5 October. The public is strongly urged to buy tickets beforehand due to limited availability on the night. For ticket booth locations and the list of routes visit www.arriva.com.mt/nottebianca or call 2122 2000. 

Arriva’s Park & Ride services will also be available offering unlimited parking on the day for €1.50, with direct shuttles from Floriana and back. 

Taxis will also be stationed at the Valletta bus terminus.

 

By sea

For the first time this year, Gozo Channel will provide a special service to Valletta. The ferry will depart from Mgarr, Gozo at 6.30pm and will leave Valletta at 00.30. A Gozitan folk group will also perform on the ferry, getting passengers into the Notte Bianca mood before they arrive at the festival.

The Upper Barrakka lift will be free of charge from 3pm onwards and will run until 2am. 

Ferry boats will also be running on a regular basis from Sliema and Birgu to Valletta and back till late.

A Lost and Found will be situated at the Valletta police headquarters.

 

Notte Bianca is supported by The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and MSV Life

nottebianca.org.mt; Facebook: Notte Bianca Valletta